Originally Posted by
galaxy flyer
Having been in business for too long and flown in/out of DCA, both airline and private, I don’t think actually closing has ever been discussed once it was ruled out when Dulles opened. Certainly, the politicians wanted it open and played all sorts of politics with things like mouse curfews, perimeter rules, facility improvements. There’s no reason it couldn’t be closed, KIAD has lots of room to expand. It was a miserable place 40 years ago in a 727 with half the operations.
There's no reason to keep DCA open other than the people like me who lived here found it a convenient and useful airport. That's enough reason. I don't care what you and the other 10 people grasping at straws feel about keeping it open or not. If you don't want to fly here, don't. MYOB.
No, DCA not a miserable experience. IAD, with it's
peoplemover (a 60 year old giant bus that you have to board after an 11 hour flight), however is most certainly pure misery.
The reason that KIAD has "plenty of room" is that it's landing and other fees are exorbitant which causing airlines to loathe it, leading to poor flight options and ridiculous prices. Up until 2024, DCA had been literally subsidizing Dulles for decades from their revenue (they're both in the same airport and both are in Virginia.) since customers prefer it. Without the subsidy, prices are just going to get worst.
The operation of DCA is a decision for Virginians (there are no 'DC' airports) It's not some grand political trick to keep it open.
Getting kinda bored with this whole "this whole airspace and DCA facility is a deathtrap" meme. I've been in and out of KDCA and flown at least a thousand hours in the DC FRZ and it's no wild west death trap. stop with the nonsense, please.